At least eight people have died in an attempt to cross the English Channel from northern France, French maritime authorities reported on Sunday. The incident occurred late Saturday night near the coastal town of Ambleteuse, marking another tragedy in the ongoing migration crisis.
French rescue services responded to reports of a boat in distress just before midnight. A rescue ship was deployed, and emergency personnel provided medical assistance to 53 migrants on the beach. Despite their efforts, eight individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
Jacques Billant, the Pas-de-Calais prefect, told French media that six people, including a 10-month-old baby suffering from hypothermia, were hospitalized. Survivors reportedly originated from various countries including Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran.
The Boulogne-sur-mer prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the accident. Survivors have been temporarily housed in a sports hall in Ambleteuse, according to local authorities.
This incident follows a similar tragedy two weeks ago when 12 people died after their boat broke apart in the Channel. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed sorrow over the latest deaths, calling it “awful” and “a further loss of life” in an interview with the BBC.
The new Labour Party government in the UK has pledged to intensify efforts against criminal gangs facilitating these dangerous crossings, promising cooperation with European partners to address the issue “upstream.”
French maritime authorities warned of the significant risks associated with crossing the Channel in flimsy, overloaded boats, especially given the current stormy weather and rough sea conditions. Despite these dangers, they reported 18 attempted crossings from France to Britain on Saturday alone, with 200 people rescued in the Pas-de-Calais area.
The International Organization for Migration reports that at least 43 migrants had died or gone missing attempting to reach the UK this year, prior to this latest incident. The trend reflects broader challenges in European migration policies, with stricter asylum rules and growing xenophobia pushing migrants to attempt increasingly perilous routes.
As rescue operations continue along the entire Pas-de-Calais coast, authorities remain on high alert. The recurring nature of these tragedies underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the complex issues driving dangerous migration attempts across the English Channel.
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